Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1887-01-22
GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE.
A K

The exhibition that | gave before a lot
of congressmen in the billiard room Of
Wizards hotel lasted something like an
hour, and | had just concluded my final
shot. that OF defying the laws OF motion, or
forcing the ball in three opposite direc-
lions, when the applause that followed
brought in as it were, W new stars; or, in
other words, at this moment two elegantly
dressed gentlemen came into the room in
a condition that bespoke a close commun-
ion with a couple quarts of Pom. Sec.
They were two of the principal govern
ment clerks in Washington, and had just
returned from the races, OF which they
were $4,000 ahead on the day. They
were recognized BY all. The one most
talkative was a billiard player far above
the average, and always made a specially
of doing strangers, especially when he had
a good audience. Walking up to the table
where | was standing, he said:
"Play billiards.
Occasionally" said |.
"IIl play you for the wet goods for the
party" said he.
NY capital of a dollar and q half looked
to me that moment as big as q circus tent.
[ thought if he bet the drinks he would
go still more if he won: 80 | accepted the
wager, telling him [ would have to make
each shot by spinning the bali betweenmy
forefnger and thumb, as | could not play
with a cue. His reply was he did not care
whether | used my fingers or toes. The
game commenced. l made misses, slips
and scratches, but was finally beaten by 10
points out Of so. / was knocked clean
out when he ordered the waiter to bring
in enough wine for the party, which was
three bottles at So a bottle, and | still had
my dollar and a half. After the wine had
boon slowed away | commenced on the
game, and said that had the game been
100 points instead of so l would have
wagered anything l would have This
just hit the right spot, for he instantly re-
piled:
"I1l make it 100 points for $100."
I thought a moment, pulled out a cigar,
then turning to my friend, congressman
Starkwater, asked him aloud for a match.
AS he was handing it to me | asked him
in an undertone to give me all the money
he had.
He replied in a whisper:
"Gentlemen never put up; their words
60"
I wanted to bet a million dollars there
and then, but concluded to go slow, and
back out; but he jacketed me into betting
as he said I had to if it was 100 points.
After consulting his friend, the latter said:
4That's my bet, too
Laughingly l replied: "All right; I see
1 am in for it, and may just as well loose
5000 as 800
The game opened and I was only seven
when he was 90. Fl wanted to bet another
500, when I told him Icould not stand it.
Make it fifty" said he,
mo; but I'll bet forty to fifty.
It was taken, and his friend said, "That's
my bet, too"
| accepted both. Ten minutes from the
last bet the game stood So to 36 in his IA
vor, when he had the betting fever again,
and offered $500 to $50. l reluctantly &C
copied, his partner giving me the same
odds. My friend Starkweather kept an
account of the wagers by their wish, and
on footing it up | was betting $3.50 against
their $500, As the game was half over |
concluded to take 10 chances. So | made
a draw shot from spot to spot-got them
on the long rail, and ran my sixty odd re-
mainiug points in as many seconds. At
its finish I turned to look at my opponent,
who was leaning on his cue, perfectly
dumbfounded. The roar that followed
awoke him from his reverie. He walked
to where | was and took me by the hand
and said: "Your name, please" I hand
ed him my card, which read:
sYank Adams, champion finger billiard
ist of the world. Residence immaterial."
He hesitated G moment and asked me